Page 83 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“Two hours?” she gasps, her eyes wide as she looks up at me, leaning back. “I do nothing. Unless you count walking to parks and courts with Chad.”

“You don’t need to do anything,” I say, my eyes dropping longingly over her body. “You’re perfect as you are.”

“I want to. I’m…” she starts, her gaze dropping to the floor before lifting it back to mine, “too weak.”

I shake my head, words spilling out before I can stop them. “I think you look great. I mean?” My hand jerks to the back of my neck, and I rub it, heat crawling up my face. “Fuck, that’s not what I meant. Not that it’s bad or?” I groan, dragging a hand over my face. “I just… You’re beautiful. Always.” My gaze flicks to her, searching for a reaction, and I swear my heart skips when she smiles.

“I know what you mean. Calm down.”

“Good. I thought I just insulted you.”

“I can’t look in the mirror as I get dressed. Avoiding mirrors is my specialty.”

I stare at her, my jaw twitching. Is she fucking serious?

“Are you fucking with me?”

She laughs, grabs the closest streetlight, and walks slowly around it. Not looking at me but up at the stars above us. My eyes never leave her. She’s so fucking beautiful. “You should look in a mirror every day. You're missing out.”

Shaking her head, she pauses her twirl momentarily. “On what? The bags under my eyes, the lines in my forehead, or the grays in my hair?”

I’m flabbergasted. She’s making me speechless. I don’t understand when all I see is her long, shiny brown hair, soft skin I’m dying to touch, and eyes that tell me everything she’s thinking.

She resumes her walk, but I step forward, stopping her abruptly, capturing her face in my hands, and bringing my mouth close to hers. My body is heavy from tequila and lust. “You and I see things very differently,” I grit out. “You’re incredibly beautiful…natural, yes. But fuck, it’s perfect for me.”

She sucks in a sharp breath, surprised by my words. I’m about to kiss her when her phone chimes.

Tearing her gaze away, she steps back from me to open her bag, quickly answering the call. “Molly.”

Crap, this can’t be good.

“Chad’s upset. I’ve tried to settle him. I’m sorry.” I can hear Molly over the line.

“I’ll be there as soon as possible.” Jemima’s voice has a frantic edge to it. It’s a reminder of how different her life is. It’s not a simple date or hookup.

I straighten. “Let’s go. We’ll drop you off at Molly’s.”

She nods. “Thanks. I’m?”

I shake my head and grab her waist, bringing her closer to me. “Don’t apologize. He’s the priority.”

“Always.”

We stare at each other for a second, knowing how close we were to kissing moments before, but Chad needs her, so I take her hand and walk her to the waiting limo.

“What’s Molly’s address?” I ask.

She rattles it off, and I tell the driver.

She’s texting frantically on her phone. I don’t know what to do, but I hate seeing her this stressed out. I grab her and drag her closer to me. She stiffens, but then settles as I wrap my arm around her back. Tucking her phone away, she lays her head in the crook of my neck. Holding her like this feels so right. Her warm body in my arms, her scent filling my nose, and her touching me back sends a mess of turmoil through me.

I don’t want this to end, but as the car pulls up to another brick apartment complex similar to hers, she lifts her head. I’m breathing heavily, holding myself back from begging to follow her in. I always want to fix other people’s problems, but this is so out of my depth. I know nothing about children; I’m like a fish out of water.

When she peels herself away, I slip out of the car and hold the door open. Her hand settles in mine, and she peers up at me from under her fluttering lashes.

“Thanks for tonight.”

“Was I as bad of a boy as you thought?” I tease with a playful grin.

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